Well, I was walked through a pawn shop and found a Yamaha UW10 for $10.  Optical ins and outs, USB out, line in and out.  It looks like it'll do what I need, but it didn't have any software.  I'll plug it in later and see if I can make bring it to life!   Paul

For years I've been carrying around a bunch of minidisc recordings that I'd like to preserve by getting them onto my Mac laptop.  My portable MD recorder has only an optical digital out.  Has anybody seen a super cheap interface that takes an optical input?  Are there some older models I should...

Do you really need a station?  I can solder most anything with my Weller SP23 or SP40.  Both are available at Home Depot for $16 and $18, respectively.  I use the 23 for most things, but I get out the 40 for big stuff like large binding posts, big star grounds and desoldering point to point tube...

On the advice of others, both of my tube amps run UF4007's bypassed with .01uf caps.  Do be sure you are using caps with a high enough voltage rating.  Folks usually suggest 1kv or more for ceramic (I used 2kv).  600V rated film should do it (mine are doing fine).  Schottkys are expensive...

jronseth,   I know this is a pretty old post to bump, but I've been lax at both checking the forums and updating my website, so I thought I'd respond to your itch.  I've been working on a couple of new projects that I haven't yet been able to get up on the page.  The first image is a folded...

I'm a big fan of the 1541. But are you thinking of scratch building a DAC with it? That sounds intense. Here is the schematic I'd use. Thorsten is less involved in DIY today, as he is now designing for AMR! (last I knew) If you are looking for a less involved project, there are several...

How cheap do you want it to be? How much do you need? I use Radio Shack's Silver bearing solder (62/36/2 IIRC). I just bought a 1.5 oz roll yesterday. It will last me a few months, and I like to keep it fresh. It was $5.50. The only other local place I've seen solder (apart from radio parts...

An isolation transformer is no panacea. Those are some outlandish claims. I don't understand how an isolation transformer on the AC line would have any effect on ground loops. Surely you aren't suggesting you run the safety earth through a transformer! That would be incredibly dangerous. A IE...

Is that an old tube machine? If so, the whole might be worth less than the sum of its parts, especially if there are a pair of little Saba fullrange speakers in there somewhere. I just tore down a pair of amps from the highly regarded Akai M8 deck, and they are becoming something entirely...

You can get a nice iron (Weller SP23) at Home Depot for $14. It comes with electrical solder. A piece of sponge or damp rag will clean the tip. You can get very inexpensive pliers and cutters (Menards has really cheap stuff), but I really like the pair that HD has for another $15. I understand...

What happens when you jiggle and mess with the rca plugs while they are plugged into the amp? It sounds to me like it could be a loose/dirty connection or a mechanical problem with the jacks. Is the problem still there if you use a different set of inputs? A pop when plugging or unplugging...

Those are not efficient speakers, so they are going to take some power. Power on a small budget is tough. Tubes aren't really an option unless you are listening near field. Even then, $100-150 won't buy you much of anything for a tube amp. I think a chip amp (gain clone) is the way to go. You...

I don't know if anybody is still lurking around looking for general discussion of the original topic, but I figured I throw in some thoughts. I'm a dedicated DIY'er. Sources are the only part of my system that weren't scratch built, and they are a modified CD player and a heavily reworked...

Somehow I missed a bunch of posts! I just tossed together a basic unity gain buffer with a OPA2132 I had lying around. I had the power supply in my parts bin (the Bugle power supply from John Hagerman). It might be overkill, but what could that hurt? It seems to work fine. I haven't scope'd...

Perfboard would certainly work (I've used it to do P2P cascoded mosfet CCS's for my tube amp), but I just figured I'd check and see if there was something out there I am missing. I know I can cut perfboard down, but a dedicated PCB could be really small, have nice mounting holes, etc. If such a...